Churchill Family Responds to Transformers 5 Nazi Controversy

Director Michael Bay's Transformers: The Last Knight found itself embroiled in a bit of controversy on Friday, when set photos surfaced revealing the production had used the birthplace of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the site of a Nazi headquarters facility for this upcoming movie. This decision was met with quite a bit of disgust, which Winston Churchill's own grandson thinks is "idiotic."

Set photos surfaced from Blenheim Palace on Friday, the historic birthplace of Winston Churchill, which was seen draped in large Nazi banners, while actors were seen wearing Nazi SS uniforms and other World War II vehicles were spotted near the location. British army veterans spoke out, claiming it was "disrespectful" to Winston Churchill, while others claimed he would be "turning in his grave." The Guardian caught up with Nicholas Soames, a Conservative MP (Parliament Member) from Mid Sussex and Winston Churchill's grandson, who called the fallout a "a completely manufactured row." Here's what he had to say about the initial report, which first surfaced in The Sun.

"(It's) absolutely the most dismal, idiotic story I've ever read. They do as all newspapers do. They go until they can find some wretched veteran who is prepared to say, 'Winston would be turning into his grave.' They've no idea what my grandfather would have thought! It's preposterous. Why can't they make a film at Blenheim 75 years after [the war ended]? It's absurd. That's all I have to say; it's pathetic."

We also showed you a new set video this weekend, which featured the Autobot Hot Rod speeding up to the Queen's estate at Buckingham Palace. Director Michael Bay commented that most productions would not be allowed to get so close to this iconic estate. Production had previously took place in Detroit before they shifted across the pond to London and other areas of the U.K., such as the Scottish island of Skye. It was there that we first learned about one of this sequel's other intriguing story lines.

Along with Nazis, we know this story will feature the iconic medieval characters King Arthur (Liam Garrigan) and Merlin (Santiago Cabrera). While no plot details have been confirmed, it is believed that Transformers: The Last Knight will follow Optimus Prime as he returns to Earth in search of an artifact, which has ties to King Arthur and Merlin. Paramount has set a June 23, 2017 release date for Transformers: The Last Knight. We'll keep you posted with more updates as production continues in the U.K.